Broncos DL Eyioma Uwazurike Suspended Faces Potential Failure to Reinstate NFL

This Denver Broncos We had hoped that 2022 fourth-round draft pick Eyioma Uwazurike would be reinstated by the NFL after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to a gambling suspension. However, According to 9NEWS“Mike Klis”Uwazurike could be facing a setback that could put his Broncos and NFL career at even greater risk.

According to Klis, Uwazurike, the Colorado Department of Revenue and Arapahoe County prosecutors are reviewing his case to “determine whether any state gambling laws were violated.” If the state determines laws were broken, Uwazurike could face criminal charges.

This would prevent the NFL from reinstating Uwazurike.

“Sources also said the NFL is waiting for state and local officials to complete their review before deciding whether to reinstate Uwazurike. That could happen when he becomes eligible to apply for reinstatement on July 24 or the day after the Broncos’ veterans report to training camp.

“While the league often reinstates players the same day they file, it’s important to remember that each case is different. In Uwazurike’s case, he was accused of placing 32 wagers on five Broncos games, including one in which he played, according to an indictment filed last year by the Story County (Iowa) U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Klis said.

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Uwazurike wasn’t just caught betting on NFL games. He reportedly bet on five Broncos games.

A one-year suspension is warranted, but potential criminal proceedings could hinge on whether Colorado can legally admit evidence from Iowa State’s investigation into Uwazurike and other Cyclone team members that was previously ruled inadmissible due to unlawful actions.

“In another twist, the initial gambling charges against Uwazurike and other Iowa State athletes were squashed and dismissed because it was determined that the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation had improperly used geolocation software to collect their location information. Plaintiffs’ attorneys, including Uwazurike, successfully argued that the use of geolocation software violated their constitutional rights,” Klis reported.

The Broncos could use a little help on the defensive line, and while Uwazurike could provide that, he may be too radioactive for the team. Even if Colorado State doesn’t press charges, the gambling and suspension allegations will be a story that will follow him throughout his NFL career, and the Broncos would always have to wonder if he’s betting on games and risk the drama of his suspension and his story becoming a distraction in the locker room.

If we were talking about the second coming of Aaron Donald, maybe those are risks a team like the Broncos would be willing to take easily. But Uwazurike is not like that, as talented as he is.

A fourth-round pick in 2022, Uwazurike appeared in eight games his rookie year, totaling 17 tackles (11 solo), two quarterback hits and one pass deflection.

The Broncos have been working to upgrade their defensive line this year, signing Malcolm Roach and acquiring John Franklin-Myers via trade. Combined with current starters Zach Allen and DJ Jones, as well as bench players like Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia, the Broncos now have a solid rotation at offensive tackle and don’t necessarily need Uwazurike.

The other question, even if the NFL brings Uwazurike back in the near future (or maybe as early as July 23 or 24), is whether he’s been able to stay in football shape for more than a year away from the game. He was 6-foot-6 and weighed 320 pounds when he last put on the orange and blue.

For a young player trying to break into the NFL, missing a season for any reason can be career-threatening. Of course, that usually happens because of injury. In Uwazurike’s case, he can’t blame bad luck or fate for the time he lost. Only himself.

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